Teen actress dating 30-year-old co-star

An entertainment news show - I forget which one - recently touted Heroes actress Hayden Panettiere as an example of a young Hollywood girl with her head on straight. The 18-year-old says she has resisted the pressure to diet herself down to skeletal proportions and has shunned the partying night life. She's even interested in environmental causes and recently participated in a protest against the slaughtering of dolphins in Japan.

However, despite her assertion to Teen Magazine that she wants to be a good role model for young girls, some are starting to question her sincerity. First, she does her sex-kitten bit for the December issue of GQ Magazine and now it is revealed that she's dating her 30-year-old co-star, Milo Ventimiglia.

I personally think a relationship between a 30-year-old man and an 18-year-old girl says more about the man does it does about the girl. And regardless of the fact that her mother approves of the relationship, Panettiere is legally old enough to date whomever she chooses. However, I would suggest to Panettiere that she refrain from all this bragging about her good judgment. She is still very young and will have lots of opportunities to make mistakes in the future. And those same people who have built her up as the next big thing, will be more than happy to tear her down. Just ask self-proclaimed "virgin until I'm wed" Britney Spears.

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ReaderComments (Page 1 of 1)

I'm 19 years old and I'm currently dating a 38 year old man, and it's way better than any relationship I've had with any guys my age. Why would you settle for a little boy who treats you like you're nothing, when you can have a MAN who will treat you like gold. Of course, it all depends... Just like everything in life. I'm sure it must be hard for a parent to accept this [or even tolerate it], I know my parents are iffy about it, but they're supporting me regardless.

When I was younger, 19 to be exact, I also dated an older man. I had already been working for two years and fell in love with a mature man instead of a boy my own age.

Even though it didn't work out between us, I don't think there is anything wrong with relationships between people of very different ages. She is not a minor and we don't know them, maybe they just fit together very well.

When I was 18, I met a 31 year old man. We started dating and have now been together 9 years, married 4 years, with one beautiful 10 month old. He might as well have been 18 when we met and we often tell people that we grew up together. I don't think its ideal but I do think it really depends on the personalities. I wish I met my husband a few years later but wouldn't trade him for the world.

On a side note, meeting him didn't stop me from going to university and developing a good career. Maybe it insipred me a bit though.

Add me to the list of people who don't think this is scandalous... That's a max. 12 yr age difference, and a 30 y.o. man is by no means "mature"! I was 19 & "dating" a 35 year old - which I felt was borderline - but ended up marrying a guy 11 years older than me and we are still together 10 years & 3 kids later and not foreseeing any split anytime soon! And BTW, 18 is an adult, not a "teen".

I'm also biased, because at the age of 23 I married a man who was 40, and we've now been married almost 6 years, with 2 great kids, and we're very happy. So I don't see age difference as being such a big deal.

She's eighteen and legal, so she is free to date whomever she wants. Quite frankly, I think she may be much less likely to experience a lot of the usual young-Hollywood-starlet pitfalls if she is dating someone a little older than if she was dating someone her own age. NOT to say that a 30 yo man is really mature, because that doesn't always hold true, but that he is likely to be more mature than an 18 or 20 yo celebrity (or non-celebrity) she might encounter. He's probably already done a lot of the hard partying and troublesome behaviors, and will be through with a lot of it, so he can help steer her away from it.

Really, I read this and think, "big deal." They're both young and probably just out to have fun. She'll probably have a lot more, and more responsible, fun with him than someone her own age.

I was 20 going on 21 when I met my Husband and he was 33. We are celebrating the 11th anniversary of our first date this year and we now have 2 beautiful children. It all depends on the maturity of the person and not the age.

I'm a bit suspicious of a 30 year old man dating an 18 year old. I do consider 18 and 19 years olds to be teen-agers. Most 18 year old young women, above posters to be the exception I'm sure, do not have the same life experience as a 30 year old. I wouldn't doubt that this man has bagged more women than years his 18 year old girlfriend has been alive.I know I'm not the same person now as I was at 18. I married at 19 and remained married for 15 years until he died. My current husband is a decade older, but I'm pushing 40 now.I would have a hissy crap fit if a 30 year old man came sniffing around my 18 year old.

I don't doubt that relationships with a huge age gap similar to this one can work. But, it makes me cringe. My daughter is still a baby, but I can guarantee you there's no way I'd want her dating a 30-year-old man when she should be going to proms and applying to college.

When my daughter (she's 12 now) is in high school, in her truly teen years, I hope she dates other boys her own age (if she dates at all, because I'd prefer she doesn't). When she's in the 18+ range, off at college somewhere, if she was dating someone who was 30, I don't think it would bother me at all. Really. Of course, his intentions would make a difference, but that holds true with anyone, at any age. I think I would truly almost prefer her to be with someone older at that age than some immature college guy who wants to party all the time and hang out with his guy friends. (Not that 30 yo men don't want to do that, but ime they want it a little less than an 18-ish guy.)

You don't know either of them and have NO RIGHT to judge. I'm sorry to inform you that love isn't based on age. I met my husband when I was 16. We were friends only until I was 20 and then something clicked between us and it became more than that. I'm 27 now and he's 40. We have a 4 yr old and a baby on the way and I assure you he's not a sick perv or something. Not all of us are attracted to immature squeeky awkward boys our own age.... some of us want a MAN and not a BOY. The most ironic thing is that my husband actually was a VIRGIN when we got engaged.. I wasn't and I felt horrible that at age 33 he had still kept his promise to himself to wait for the right woman. I lost my virginity to a stupid immature BOY and I regret it to this day. Glad I stopped there though. My husband treats me like a queen and I'm sure Hayden is happy in her relationship and it's NONE of your business!

May as well add my name to the list. I dated "boys my age" as a teenager, but it never worked out. I was always frustrated beyond belief at their immaturity. Video games? Playing guitar with your buddies and drinking all night? Cruising around plucking signs from public places? None of it made a bit of sense. I had given up all hope on men in general before meeting my wonderful, gorgeous, perfect, and 20 years my senior husband. I was in my early twenties, just out of my teenage years, he was in his early forties. I was smitten and never happier with a relationship. We've been married for almost a decade and have a beautiful son who will be four next month. I'd go so far as to say that this is only further evidence that the girl really does have a good head on those shoulders!

Who is anyone to criticize Hayden. First of all, she did a shoot for a mag. Whoopi! She has a bathing suit on! Models around the world wear less than that & don't get criticized. And second, I happen to be engaged to some one who is 14 years my senior. And we are both MATURE ADULTS. As long as she is over 18, it's no ones' buissness. So, I think people should just but out. Besides, who would you rather be a role model of your children, Brittney Spears, Lindsy Lohan, Paris Hilton? I know I don't. I respect & admire Hayden's talent and the things that she has done for the world. Do you see Brittney, Lindsy or Paris doing these things? No. So, before you criticize people, think first!

She's plenty old enough to make decisions like this for herself, and judging from her other actions she seems far more mature than the average 18 year-old. In Hollywood people grow up fast, and this can go different ways. In her case it seems like she's gone down the right path. I think she can still be an excellent role model and date someone quite a bit older than she is, particularly when this is someone she's known for awhile and probably already has a solid friendship with. As for her bragging, I don't think she is at all. I think the media have been quick to latch on young stars who aren't behaving scandalously (like Miley Cyrus, Hillary Duff, and her for example) in the light of the Lindsay/Britney/etc. mess and have been peppering them with questions to the effect of "how do you do it?" 'how do you stay out of trouble?", etc. Watch any celeb interview. I feel like it puts even more pressure on these kids, really--and from what I've seen they all seem a little tired of having to talk about it. These stars aren't volunteering all this info--no one wants to sound like an insufferable goody goody...it's just they have to address it because they're asked *all the time* so that's why it's out there.

I'm 18 and i date a guy whose 32 and he is the best thing that has every happened to me i wouldnt trade him for the world he has been there for me through the think and thin and i'm still on my path working to be a teacher. She's 18 she can decided who she wants to date. Everyone can form there own opinion but doesnt matter because it's her life so i think everyonie should just back off and look at theire own life before judging someone else!!!

i am related to hayden and when i was her age i too dated older men and i have no regrets, i was treated with respect and enjoyed my time with them, i was taken out to the best restaurants, it was never boring. remember most young ladies act older , then young boys.so you go hayden enjoy yourself and have a good time.love your cuz.....drose, say hi to your dad for me and tell him i miss him, when i think of us growing up , i laugh about the trouble we used to get into.......great memoriesof our family together,hope to see you one day.

im 18 and dated a man of 41 i quickly eneded to be with someone my own age. im starting to think that was a mistake, i was very happy with my 41 yr. old however i thought it could never work i wanted the life most lived at my age. but he did make me happy.

All I know is the Bible mentions a relationship like this with a guy called Boaz it seemed to work. It may not be perfect ...However, they may meet each others needs. She may be very mature for her age.

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